GUILTY TX - Alanna Gallagher, 6, Saginaw, 1 July 2013 - #6

[SapphireSteel]

Abducted means snatched and taken away, for lack of more preside terms that come to mind. I agree, the majority of kids killed are killed by their parents. But they aren't abducted - kidnapped, etc.

If Alanna was out playing, and someone took her somewhere other than home, and then killed her, then she falls into the abducted and killed category.
If Alanna was home, or was outside playing and then taken home, then she would not fall into the same category, and the likelihood would be that a parent killed her.

Another statistic I have read, though I don't have it handy to quote, is that the majority of cases of kids who are killed after being sexually molested is not committed by a parent or family member. (Although the majority of sexual abuse without murder is by parent or family member).

So, two important things to know in Alanna's case are whether she was abducted, and whether she was sexually assaulted. I am sure that LE pretty much knows the answer to those two things. And they ain't saying.

Child Abduction is defined as

"removing a child from his/her carers".

That's it.

Obviously with this description there are one heck of a lot of "abductions" that are over before they even really begin.

What we have here, with Alanna, is the rarest of all child murders - or appears to be, so far.

A stranger murder. Or at best, an "acquaintance murder".

Either way, statistics mean nothing in any particular case so kind of pointless referring to them on an individual level. There's always the exception.

:cow:

 

[SapphireSteel]

I comprehend the words "isolated case" but I'm not quite sure I fully understand them. Are they supposed to be translated to "there is no cause for alarm"??? A dead barely-six-year old child found in the middle of a neighborhood and no perp in custody? This is alarming.

God only knows but I personally believe they have linked the killer to Alanna somehow OR they have DNA which is unknown in CODIS, or they feel the crime is so disorganised the perp is unlikely to strike again any time soon.

The way she was dumped just screams inexperience and disorganisation to me. This is not a serial IMO but someone who came across Alanna in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Perhaps the DNA is in the family home in places it would only be if the killer was comfortable there - like a past visitor. Perhaps his fingerprints are in the house and on the bag, I can almost guarantee he left a partial somewhere on all of that plastic.

:twocents:

 

[cluciano63]

"Isolated case" as in only one child was found dead in the road?

 

[kkdj]

Who cares what others think when your child is dead?

Who cares what others think, period.

I think I would want the murder(s) to know they are being hunted. Not only be LE, FBI, etc., but by every single avenue I could find. And that I will never stop until they are six feet under.
jmo

 

[kkdj]

"Isolated case" as in only one child was found dead in the road?

Thats what I think.

 

[:+:MrTT:+:]

Interesting article.

Says a lot of kids killed by their mother. Father. Then relatives and friends.

Few by strangers. Those under age 5, so not sure where Alanna fits in to this

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2002/03/when_parents_kill.html

The Numbers
Children under the age of 5 in the United States are more likely to be killed by their parents than anyone else. Contrary to popular mythology, they are rarely killed by a sex-crazed stranger. FBI crime statistics show that in 1999 parents were responsible for 57 percent of these murders, with family friends and acquaintances accounting for another 30 percent and other family members accounting for 8 percent. Crime statistics further reveal that of the children under 5 killed from 1976 to 1999, 30 percent were murdered by their mothers while 31 percent were killed by their fathers. And while the strangers, acquaintances, and other family members who kill children skew heavily toward males (as does the entire class of murderers), children are as likely to be murdered by their fathers as by their mothers.

To me this seems like a quick kill. She was taken murdered and than left where found. And this was before she was even discovered missing let alone reported missing which i have not come across on any case that i had seen or remember....The extra shock value of it being a child, and the child would not put up any defense. An easy target for someone intend on a thrill killing...I am still thinking for now someone right there in the neighborhood...She was a friendly little girl, being six years old she would have gotten onto someones bicycle if they asked her if she wanted to take a ride....No reports i have seen, though maybe there are of this red/green truck in the area where she was last reported as being seen. Though I doubt it, since most attention pertaining to truck was at the corner where she was found. and not where she was last seen. Which i assumed was outside playing...No reason for grownups in the area to be watching the children so closely on this day, no reason to.

I have not seen autopsy report, or LEO file about any sexual assault that may-had occurred. But if i would need to guess for now I would say the killer wanted it to look like a sexual assault being the reason she was taken and than murdered. To put focused on someone else such as a predator in the neighborhood. But I don't think she was sexual assaulted at all..........Just guessing on everything...I am still thinking thrill killing with the extra shock value being it was a child, that would not put up a defense.......Someone right there in the area, that had a place already chosen, and the tarp was either there already, or was placed there in advance, but more than likely already there......Though just guessing on that also.

They should put that tarp/tent on TV and see if anyone recognizes it, and ask the public to check to see if they have one missing from there property.

 

[:+:MrTT:+:]

To me this seems like a quick kill. She was taken murdered and than left where found. And this was before she was even discovered missing let alone reported missing which i have not come across on any case that i had seen or remember....The extra shock value of it being a child, and the child would not put up any defense. An easy target for someone intend on a thrill killing...I am still thinking for now someone right there in the neighborhood...She was a friendly little girl, being six years old she would have gotten onto someones bicycle if they asked her if she wanted to take a ride....No reports i have seen, though maybe there are of this red/green truck in the area where she was last reported as being seen. Though I doubt it, since most attention pertaining to truck was at the corner where she was found. and not where she was last seen. Which i assumed was outside playing...No reason for grownups in the area to be watching the children so closely on this day, no reason to.

I have not seen autopsy report, or LEO file about any sexual assault that may-had occurred. But if i would need to guess for now I would say the killer wanted it to look like a sexual assault being the reason she was taken and than murdered. To put focused on someone else such as a predator in the neighborhood. But I don't think she was sexual assaulted at all..........Just guessing on everything...I am still thinking thrill killing with the extra shock value being it was a child, that would not put up a defense.......Someone right there in the area, that had a place already chosen, and the tarp was either there already, or was placed there in advance, but more than likely already there......Though just guessing on that also.

They should put that tarp/tent on TV and see if anyone recognizes it, and ask the public to check to see if they have one missing from there property.

I am thinking more like teen boy, teenager around 20 max.

 

[gitana1]

God only knows but I personally believe they have linked the killer to Alanna somehow OR they have DNA which is unknown in CODIS, or they feel the crime is so disorganised the perp is unlikely to strike again any time soon.

The way she was dumped just screams inexperience and disorganisation to me. This is not a serial IMO but someone who came across Alanna in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Perhaps the DNA is in the family home in places it would only be if the killer was comfortable there - like a past visitor. Perhaps his fingerprints are in the house and on the bag, I can almost guarantee he left a partial somewhere on all of that plastic.

:twocents:

I think if we can't consider stats because there always exceptions then we can't diagnose a scene in the manner in your post either. Because there are always exceptions. Some serial killers become sloppy over time. Sometimes they don;t have luck that day and need to get out of dodge fast. Sometimes they ignore their experience and give in to their nasty urges even though they may not have the time they need to commit the crime they want to and move the body far away and get away without detection.

But I'm actually not sure why some assume serial killers are always organized. There are two types and a serial killer can be disorganized and still not get caught:

Definition

In order to qualify as a serial killer, an Unsub must exhibit the following criteria:

1. Quantity: There must be at least three victims
2. Place: The killings must occur at different locations
3. Time: There must be a cooling off period

There are, of course, exceptions to these criteria; disorganized killers such as Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer often commit their ghastly deeds at home. Sometimes the term "serial killer" is somewhat loosely applied to killers responsible for less than three murders. Examples are Gein, who killed two, and Gary M. Heidnik - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, who also killed two but held four more captive.

Profilehttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

Organized/Non-Socialhttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

Organized serial killers, as profiled by John Douglas, former FBI Profiler, normally share the following common characteristics[3]:

• White male, aged 25 to 45
• Above average intelligence (100+)
• Strong personal and social skills
• Able to maintain normal family life
• Usually employed in a menial position, often below their abilities
• May make an effort to cover up their crimes, often dumping the body in a hidden location and cleaning up the crime scene; some have a working knowledge of forensics

Exampleshttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

• Ted Bundy - Certified Psychologist
• John Wayne Gacy - Political activist, artist, chef, Freelance entertainer (clown). Gacy also had special clearance by the US Secret Service
• Harry Powers- Salesman

Disorganized/Asocialhttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

Disorganized serial killers may share these characteristics:

• White male, any age range; but females are common as well
• Below average intelligence (Edmund Kemper, however, had an IQ of 145)
• The habit of leaving the body at the scene, not bothering to cover up the crime
• May be difficult to catch due to constant relocation
• May have a domineering family member (most notably a parent)
• Uses "blitz" attacks to subdue, as opposed to seduction or sympathy
• Has very few close relationships and is often referred to as the "quiet type"

Exampleshttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

• Ed Gein - Farmer
• Jeffrey Dahmer - Chocolate factory worker
• Edmund Kemper - Transportation worker

Mixedhttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

Mixed offenders display traits of both an organized and a disorganized killer. For example, they might have a plan and bring murder weapons, gloves and other things used for the killing, but the crime scene becomes a mess when the plan fails.
Exampleshttp://www.websleuths.com/forums/data:image/gif;🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D

• The Zodiac Killer
• The Brown-Goldman crime scene

http://criminalminds.wikia.com/wiki/Serial_Killer

Here's another great site. Read more at link for the organized killer characteristics:

DISORGANIZED

• IQ below average, 80-95 range
• socially inadequate
• lives alone, usually does not date
• absent or unstable father
• family emotional abuse, inconsistent
• lives and/or works near crime scene
• minimal interest in news media
• usually a high school dropout
• poor hygiene/housekeeping skills
• keeps a secret hiding place in the home
• nocturnal (nighttime) habits
• drives a clunky car or pickup truck
• needs to return to crime scene for reliving memories
• may contact victim’s family to play games
• no interest in police work
• experiments with self-help programs
• kills at one site, considers mission over
• usually leaves body intact
• attacks in a “blitz” pattern
• depersonalizes victim to a thing or it
• leaves a chaotic crime scene
• leaves physical evidence
• responds best to counseling interview

- See more at: http://twistedminds.creativescapism...ypology/characteristics/#sthash.k1QcteBv.dpuf

BBM.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Oh I have to strongly disagree with that. What does it mean when a dog puts his belly on the ground, legs stretched in front, hind quarters in the air? (Play). What about a cat who is on all fours, scrunching backwards ears flat back? (scared).

Body language tells us when another person is angry (what's wrong?), turned on (guy knows he can now kiss girl), friendly, scared, impatient or threatening.

Every single one of us reads body language every single day, to navigate all sorts of situations. Combined with tone of voice and facial expressions, body language is how we read people and navigate situations around us. The inability to read it is a key problem with people with autism and why they have serious issues socializing.

I know a lot about it though. I used to read palms for fun. I'm very, very good at it. I can tell a person whether their dad died or left them, at what age, sometimes I can tell them names of family members, health issues they have, dates of past trauma, etc. Reading body language is a HUGE part of that.

I used to "read" tarot cards...Cold readings are definitely a skilled art form, I too was quite good at it. I totally agree with you. I just do not want it to be used to determine guilt or innocence. A good detective or interviewer uses their instincts in much the same way. While I feel it's a very useful tool, like the polygraph, it's just one of many other tools.

 

[human]

Some questions

So was someone driving down the road or sitting at home or visiting, and they see Alanna and say,"Gee. I have nothing to do today. Maybe I should grab that kid."

Or, did someone plan to get a kid and go driving around with supplies.

Or, did some watch her and know she was often unsupervised and plan to get her one day?

I just think someone would be prepared because they were thinking about this kind of actvity

 

[matou]

Interesting about depersonalization, calling the victim "it". In Alanna's case during the 911 call, the caller referred to Alanna's body as "it". I found that odd, IMO. I don't think he knew how to handle the info.

 

[Kaliste]

We could really use some new news around here....

 

[eileenhawkeye]

I didn't know this but there was a book written about Opal's case. It's called "And Never See Her Again" by Patricia Springer.

 

[briTCU]

Interesting about denationalization, calling the victim "it". In Alanna's case during the 911 call, the caller referred to Alanna's body as "it". I found that odd, IMO. I don't think he knew how to handle the info.

Right. At first I found it odd as well, but then later in the week as my husband and I were driving through the intersection where she was found I caught myself referring to Alanna as "it" as well. And I've done that a few times since. I felt horrible afterwards, but I think it is very hard for me to handle this as I think of my children every time I think of Alanna. This case is just too close to home. My youngest attends the same school she did. I can't even imagine processing this horror properly 2 minutes after seeing her. I feel for the family that found her.

 

[Wondergirl]

It can certainly seem that way, since we are not on the inside. The FBI and Rangers are involved. They don't get involved, unless there IS a sense of urgency. There is always a reason for not releasing information to the public, and it's usually a good reason. I don't think we should assume they are working day and night, just because we don't have information...ya know? JMO.

I was actually referring to Alanna's family regarding the lack of urgency and outrage, but, I kwym.

JMO

 

[GingerzMomma]

Interesting about denationalization, calling the victim "it". In Alanna's case during the 911 call, the caller referred to Alanna's body as "it". I found that odd, IMO. I don't think he knew how to handle the info.

You know what: that is a really very good point.......

 

[blue22]

I was actually referring to Alanna's family regarding the lack of urgency and outrage, but, I kwym.

JMO

Oh, I see! Yes, I agree with you about the family.

 

[Wondergirl]

Yes, I have - and I made a list of addresses as well (I think this was on the second day after it happened and they mentioned the truck).

This was in relation to the immediate area - over to the public school, there are 50+ addresses with a red truck parked and 2 red trucks in transit (that I found).

But there are 2 problems with that. Not all trucks are out of their garages - it is a snapshot in time. I had to streetview every truck for the actual location.

Those trucks parked on the street may not belong to the house it is in front of, or the house occupant.

But I have them if anyone is interested. Im not sure Im allowed to post all the addresses.

There was a couple of ToI's (Trucks of Interest) which I marked as fitting the description.

Great, Figtree.

Have you sent any of them in to LE?

 

[Wondergirl]

The longer I am a member at WS, and the longer I go through missing person's cases from start to finish (or not), the more I see repetitive patterns in the crimes, the public's response to the event, to LE, it's strange.

I wish that there was a way to break the pattern, my folder of unsolved murders and missing person's cases just seems to be getting larger and larger.

It is quite discouraging, actually.

How many monsters are actually running around out there, stealing and defiling our children?

WHO stole a life from this precious little girl named Alanna? :furious:

 

[ArianeEmory]

The longer I am a member at WS, and the longer I go through missing person's cases from start to finish (or not), the more I see repetitive patterns in the crimes, the public's response to the event, to LE, it's strange.

I wish that there was a way to break the pattern, my folder of unsolved murders and missing person's cases just seems to be getting larger and larger.

It is quite discouraging, actually.

How many monsters are actually running around out there, stealing and defiling our children?

WHO stole a life from this precious little girl named Alanna? :furious:

This reminds me, earlier I was wondering about all the unsolved child disappearances/murders. Which column do those go in, in terms of family/non-family? Do they not get counted at all? Would the numbers look scarier if unsolved/no body cases were counted? If the family gets fully cleared (does LE ever fully rule out any family in absence of perp?), does the abduction go in the "stranger" column even without a suspect?